Lift kits?

[BigRed76]

Dont mean to write a book here but I searched the forums and didnt really find what i was looking for. I am wanting about 6 inches of lift on my '76 shortbed 4x4, but need opinions on how to go about doing it. My original plan was to get front springs, blocks, sway bar drop brackets and extended brake lines but 6'' blocks in the rear just dont seem like a good idea to me. Should i just fork out the extra $$$ for the rear springs? Will Lift springs in the rear ride better than blocks? And are the "EZ Ride" or "Soft Ride" kits really better than standard kits? The front springs on my truck are sagged so much that the springs hit bump stops on just about every bump so anything will ride better.

[LONGHAIR]

"Front springs and blocks" is far more of an issue than anything. You do NOT want blocks in the front, ever. Just get a 6" spring in the first place.

As far the rear, there are a couple of way to go. The most economical way is with a 2" add-a-leaf and a 4" block. It kind depends upon how hard you intend to drive this truck. If it is mostly street with occasional light off roading, this way is fine.
Or you could go with a full 6" spring lift in the rear, for harder off-road use.
I would not even consider running a 6" block though, the leverage is just too much. You will get wheel-hop problems.

[BigRed76]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

"Front springs and blocks" is far more of an issue than anything. You do NOT want blocks in the front, ever. Just get a 6" spring in the first place.

As far the rear, there are a couple of way to go. The most economical way is with a 2" add-a-leaf and a 4" block. It kind depends upon how hard you intend to drive this truck. If it is mostly street with occasional light off roading, this way is fine.
Or you could go with a full 6" spring lift in the rear, for harder off-road use.
I would not even consider running a 6" block though, the leverage is just too much. You will get wheel-hop problems.

Sorry for the confusion, I was not planning on using blocks in the front because i know how dangerous that is, i was plannin on using the blocks for the rear.

[BigRed76]

I'm still a little confused on what exactly the shackle flip kit does. Does it just move the shackle to the other side of the spring?

[baclay9]

Most 6" lifts will consist of 6" springs for the front and 4" blocks for the rear. That way the truck sits level

don't forget to get a drop pitman arm.

[MTCK]

Check out www.offroaddesign.com . I've used the shackle flip kit with good results. You can add a leave or use a longer shackle to get up to 6" without replacing your rear springs. They have pretty much everything you could need, including front springs, steering correction parts, shocks, brake lines etc.

[Prerunner1982]

6" lift springs up front.
2" lift springs in the rear with a 4" shackle flip (http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/shacklekit.htm).

I would also suggest a steering box brace..

[Prerunner1982]

The stock set up has the shackle going UP from the mount to the leaf spring. The shackle flip has the shack going down to the spring, adding lift.

stock the leaf spring end is 4" (approx) above the shackle mount, swap it to 4" below the shackle mount and you get 4" of lift. When you move one end of the leaf spring, lift is 1/2 the amount the spring end moved. 4" above + 4" below=8" / 2= 4".

Did I confuse you more?

[BigRed76]

Originally Posted by Prerunner1982

The stock set up has the shackle going UP from the mount to the leaf spring. The shackle flip has the shack going down to the spring, adding lift.

stock the leaf spring end is 4" (approx) above the shackle mount, swap it to 4" below the shackle mount and you get 4" of lift. When you move one end of the leaf spring, lift is 1/2 the amount the spring end moved. 4" above + 4" below=8" / 2= 4".

Did I confuse you more?

Thanks for the clarification of that. I understand it now and I like the idea.

[BigRed76]

Does anyone know if a 4" lift will be high enough to clear 35's or is it better to go with the 6"?

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by Prerunner1982

6" lift springs up front.
2" lift springs in the rear with a 4" shackle flip (http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/shacklekit.htm).

I would also suggest a steering box brace..

That's the way to do it.

Originally Posted by BigRed76

Does anyone know if a 4" lift will be high enough to clear 35's or is it better to go with the 6"?

2.5" lift will clear 33's, 4" will clear 35's. 6" over 35's is gravy.

[BigRed76]

Is there an advantage with the shackle flip instead of lift springs?

[bikes&bowties]

more flex and softer ride.... my vote goes to a 4 inch lift.... DIY offroad B52 kit in the front and shackle flip in the rear... smooth sailing from there on out...

[BigRed76]

Originally Posted by bikes&bowties

more flex and softer ride.... my vote goes to a 4 inch lift.... DIY offroad B52 kit in the front and shackle flip in the rear... smooth sailing from there on out...

Can i ask why you would go with a 4"?

[CLASSIC87']

If I remember right.... if you go more than 4" you have a lot more issues to work around and fix; With 4" you dont have to extend your brake lines or adjust your drive shaft angle. With that said... I stopped at 4" with my 4x4 Blazer I had... and it cleared the 35's on 8" rallys just fine. BUT I also did not do any off roading either...

[BigRed76]

Originally Posted by CLASSIC87'

If I remember right.... if you go more than 4" you have a lot more issues to work around and fix; With 4" you dont have to extend your brake lines or adjust your drive shaft angle. With that said... I stopped at 4" with my 4x4 Blazer I had... and it cleared the 35's on 8" rallys just fine. BUT I also did not do any off roading either...

I understand that. I'm not going to be doing any serious off roading, just mild trails for camping and anything i come across in the winter. So i could do 4" springs in the front and do a 2.5" shackle flip w/6" shackles in the rear, sway bar drop brackets, steering arm...and dont have to have extended brake lines??

[CLASSIC87']

I'm not for sure with the above set up you mentioned... this is what I did on my 84' Blazer: 4" lift springs and steering drop arm in front, and the back was a simple 4" block. No other adjusts where needed anywhere as a I recall as I installed it myself.